Keith Richards claimed Mick Jagger is still ‘an a**hole’ as he admitted he ‘still talks’ to the late Charlie Watts in a rare interview on Friday.
Ahead of the Rolling Stones upcoming new album, Hackney Diamonds, the legendary guitarist, 79, discussed the band’s new chapter.
Keith and Mick, once nicknamed The Glimmer Twins, have endured many rifts over the years, but Keith assured no love has ever been lost for the ‘unbelievable frontman.’
Speaking to The Sun, he explained: ‘People only hear about the downs. After 60 years, if you had a brother, you’d have had a few ups and downs, too, and ours is usually concerned with work.
‘I say, “That’s too schlocky”, and he says, “I love it”, and I go, “You’re an a**hole!” But the abrasiveness is minor compared to the harmony that goes on all the time. Of course I love him.’
Bandmates: Keith Richards, 79, claimed Mick Jagger, 80, is still ‘an a**hole’ as he admitted he ‘still talks’ to the late Charlie Watts in a rare interview on Friday
In what will be their first album of original songs in 18 years and first since the death of beloved Charlie, Keith admitted that the loss ‘hit him hard.’
‘I still have conversations with the man, which I fully expect to continue,’ he added.
Last month, The Rolling Stones paid tribute to Charlie as they announced the release date of Hackney Diamonds, during a special live event with Jimmy Fallon in London.
Arriving at the Hackney Empire in London to crowds of screaming fans, Sir Mick, Keith, and Ronnie Wood, 76, revealed the record will drop October 20.
Speaking on stage, Keith reflected on Charlie’s passing, saying: ‘Ever since Charlie has been gone it’s different, he’s number four.’
The guitarist continued: ‘He’s missing, of course he’s missed incredibly, but thanks to Charlie we have Steve Jordan who was his recommendation if anything should happen to him.
‘He’s been a friend of ours so he was a natural progression, it would have been a lot harder without Charlie’s blessing.’
Sir Mick added there are 12 tracks on the album and while most featured Jordan, there are two tracks recorded in 2019 with Charlie.
Ahead of the Rolling Stones upcoming new album, Hackney Diamonds, the legendary guitarist, 79, discussed the band’s new chapter since Charlie’s passing
Trouble: Keith and Mick, once nicknamed The Glimmer Twins, have endured many rifts over the years, but Keith assured no love has ever been lost for the ‘unbelievable frontman’ (Ronnie Wood, Mick and Keith pictured last month)
On the song Live By The Sword the trio are backed by both Charlie and former bassist Bill Wyman, reuniting the original rhythm section of The Rolling Stones. The second song featuring Charlie is named Mess It Up.
Charlie passed away aged 80 in August 2021, surrounded by his family in hospital – weeks after he pulled out of US tour to recover from emergency heart surgery.
The London-born drummer joined the then-fledgling band in 1963 after meeting Mick, Keith and Brian Jones while playing in rhythm and blues clubs.
Along with Mick and Keith, he featured on every one of the band’s studio albums. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time
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